[Mark]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Big platform cuts coming, BMW plans to work off only two architectures!

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Herbert Diess, BMW Board Member for Research and Development revealed plans to reduce the number of platforms that BMW and MINI will use for their vehicles to just two. One for Front-wheel drive (FWD) cars and a second for Rear-wheel drive (RWD) cars. To put this into perspective, Many many years ago, BMW would actually develop each and every car as its own separate platform, and went as far as to mock the concept of platform-sharing. Of course, time and economics change. Today, BMW shares its cars and SAVs across 5 platforms.

As BMW customers and fans, we've gotten a good look at the FWD platform, which underpins the new MINI as well as the upcoming 2-Series Active Tourer.

The next G chassis BMWs will likely use the new RWD architecture, which is expected to debut with the next 7-Series (G11). It's been hinted before that this RWD platofrm would be called '35up' (3/5 series and up!). This implies that the 3-Series would the smallest BMW on a RWD platform (I have a feeling BMW wouldnt lock itself in like that, it would go against the reason for using one common RWD platform). But in essence, just think of every RWD BMW, from the 1-Series to the 7-Series all based on the same basic platform.

BMW is not alone of course, Mercedes Benz too plans to slash their architecture down to only 4 basic setups. Mercedes cites the significant cost savings and ability to bring more models to market faster. Of course the VW group including Audi, Skoda have been the masters of platform sharing for many years and have paved the way for BMW and Mercedes.

Of significant note is that the BMW i cars will likely not be included in this plan. Right now, due to their unique construction and engineering, they are still built and conceived ground-up.

Source: Automotive News Europe

[AtlantaDude]

Currently, they're already posting record profits quarter to quarter (month to month). With this cost savings initiative, will they be spending that extra bread on developing one damned good architecture for FWD and RWD, or skimp out and pocket it, or pass the savings on to the consumer.....

My bet is pocket it... Only time will tell though

[Desmo85]

This is horrible. First the death of naturaly aspirated 6 cylinder engines, a family van with FWD, now modular plattform concepts.....

With every further step the brand becomes more and more Volkswagen. Everything is focused on the profits and gains. What happend to "Sheer driving pleasure"?

Lets hope that this modular plattform sharing is only a bridge towards the day untill they offer FULL CARBON FIBRE chasis in every BMW.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by Desmo85

This is horrible. First the death of naturaly aspirated 6 cylinder engines, a family van with FWD, now modular plattform concepts.....

With every further step the brand becomes more and more Volkswagen. Everything is focused on the profits and gains. What happend to "Sheer driving pleasure"?

Lets hope that this modular plattform sharing is only a bridge towards the day untill they offer FULL CARBON FIBRE chasis in every BMW.

Why don't you wait until you can actually drive the upcoming model range. A shared platform doesn't have to spell compromise. Time will tell and you can vote with your wallet.

[ProbyOne]

Originally Posted by Bear From Jax

Currently, they're already posting record profits quarter to quarter (month to month). With this cost savings initiative, will they be spending that extra bread on developing one damned good architecture for FWD and RWD, or skimp out and pocket it, or pass the savings on to the consumer.....

My bet is pocket it... Only time will tell though

Their pricing decision will be based on economic principles, not benevolence.

[Venom692x]

So pretty much every BMW is going to be on 1 platform? lol. So many new models, on way less platforms... Isn't the 5 series already lambasted in terms of its dynamics because it shares its platform with the 7series? I can't imagine 2,3,4 series all being on the same platform as well.

[HeavyMetalRocker]

Looks like the "Ultimate Driving Machine" is taking one huge step closer to the Ultimate Average Machine... So much for a unique platform tailored to the individual car. It's now a one size fits all... Wtg BMW, looks like I'll be taking my business 100% to Porsche now, the real Ultimate Driving Machine!

[eMvy]

Originally Posted by Year's_End

A shared platform doesn't have to spell compromise.

Yes it does, almost by definition. As an engineer I feel this way, but I'd love to be wrong.

[DrtyJrze]

Originally Posted by Year's_End

Why don't you wait until you can actually drive the upcoming model range. A shared platform doesn't have to spell compromise. Time will tell and you can vote with your wallet.

There is no way to sugarcoat this news. It's bad for consumers and good for management/shareholders because the savings will not be returned to the consumers in any meaningful way.

There is nothing wrong with sharing platforms, but they will ONLY have two (2!) for ALL models. That is crazy.

[DrtyJrze]

Originally Posted by HeavyMetalRocker

Looks like the "Ultimate Driving Machine" is taking one huge step closer to the Ultimate Average Machine... So much for a unique platform tailored to the individual car. It's now a one size fits all... Wtg BMW, looks like I'll be taking my business 100% to Porsche now, the real Ultimate Driving Machine!

I'm with you. I think the new M3 might be it for me then it's time to move on. A Porsche was my bucket list car that I didn't plan on getting until my 50's. I might be pushing up my timetable a decade or so.

[georgere]

Let's see how it turns out. So far it doesn't feel good though.

[DieGrüneHölle]

Taking a page out of GM's and Toyota's book.

The "35up" platform plans have been known for awhile. Everything from the 3-series on up will share the same platform.

[Tåst]

Means that also compromises? Since "one size fit all" has been marketing bulshit.

[Petros]

Too much platform sharing will always mean compromise. You can't have the same platform excel at building everything from a featherweight nimble 1 series, to a large luxobarge 7 series to a giant crossover X6 SUV. So basically future Bimmers will be mediocre, underengineered, and overpriced? Thanks but no thanks.

[The long haul]

BMW has been watering down their cars for about 2 good years now so this is no big shock at all. The upcoming F80 looks promising and I love the F22 but beyond that, I'll buy an Audi for my four door or a Jaguar for a true car with personality. At this point shit I'll take a XFR-S any day over any F10 because Supercharged V8 rawness is good and the F Type is the car Jaguar flaunts for good reason, yet BMW is too nutless to do it. Don't even get me started on this i8 crap, anyone who pays 140,000+ for that car must have had a frontal lobotomy or doesn't understand what a real performance car is. If you wanna save the whales and hug trees the Tesla is superior anyway and actually offers real performance without trying to act like some kind of halo car.
End rant.

[jbeene]

Originally Posted by HeavyMetalRocker

Looks like the "Ultimate Driving Machine" is taking one huge step closer to the Ultimate Average Machine... So much for a unique platform tailored to the individual car. It's now a one size fits all... Wtg BMW, looks like I'll be taking my business 100% to Porsche now, the real Ultimate Driving Machine!

Me 2. My next car will be a 911. My next SUV could very well be a Macan (even though I know it is a tarted up Audi).

I will always have my E90 M3 in the garage though. Best car I've ever owned.

[3s-a-charm]

Can someone help explain what this means? Does a shared platform for 3/4 up mean that every car has similar under-carriage (say front/back portions are the same) but the middle section is shorter or longer depending on the model? Sorry, I should probably search...

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by HeavyMetalRocker

Looks like the "Ultimate Driving Machine" is taking one huge step closer to the Ultimate Average Machine... So much for a unique platform tailored to the individual car. It's now a one size fits all... Wtg BMW, looks like I'll be taking my business 100% to Porsche now, the real Ultimate Driving Machine!

I love Porsche too but they share platforms and engines with VW and Audi.

[Diver]

Perhaps this is the rumored end of the RWD 1 and 2 series cars. It also does not leave room for a small RWD 2 seat sports car.

[BenchRacerYo]

Gross.

[IEDEI]

i guess i can officially kill off my fantasy of an "M0" super compact M car that's RWD?

Hey BMW: your future plans are disgusting! So lotsa 'Gran Coupe Gran Turismo Active Tourer M-sport' models coming in the future......what horribleness.

[3M TAPE]

Umm, the purpose of doing business is to make PROFIT.
You cannot argue with that.

Also,
More money = more research and development therefore better cars and more choices.